# Finding DBNull in a datatable generated from SQL query and assign activity

**URL:** <https://forum.uipath.com/t/finding-dbnull-in-a-datatable-generated-from-sql-query-and-assign-activity/749787>\
**Category:** Studio\
**Tags:** sql, activities-panel, datatable, question, studio, database, system, activities\
**Created:** [June 26, 2024, 9:33am UTC](https://forum.uipath.com/t/finding-dbnull-in-a-datatable-generated-from-sql-query-and-assign-activity/749787 "2024-06-26T09:33:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SnehajitDas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/uipath/user_avatar/forum.uipath.com/snehajitdas/32/544299_2.png) [@SnehajitDas](https://forum.uipath.com/u/SnehajitDas)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 9:33am UTC](https://forum.uipath.com/t/finding-dbnull-in-a-datatable-generated-from-sql-query-and-assign-activity/749787/1 "2024-06-26T09:33:29Z")

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I have 5\*5 datatable which is generated from a sql query.  
All values are of datetime type.  
Some random values in this dt can be null in db which returns value as DBNull.  
Next step is to assign these values to specific variables for which I use function like  
Convert.ToDateTime(Dt.Rows(index).Item(“columnName”))

This function throws an error when NULL value is passed from SQL query.  
_Object cannot be cast from DBNull to other types._

Looking for best way to handle the situation.  
I can always loop through the datatable and individually handle the specific null data.  
Looking for a way that helps me use a multi assign activity where it skips assignment in case it finds a DBNull

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**Author:** ![vrdabberu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/uipath/user_avatar/forum.uipath.com/vrdabberu/32/484365_2.png) [@vrdabberu](https://forum.uipath.com/u/vrdabberu)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 9:35am UTC](https://forum.uipath.com/t/finding-dbnull-in-a-datatable-generated-from-sql-query-and-assign-activity/749787/2 "2024-06-26T09:35:55Z")

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Hi @SnehajitDas

```auto
Assign activity:
variable1 = If(IsDBNull(Dt.Rows(index).Item("columnName")), "", Convert.ToDateTime(Dt.Rows(index).Item("columnName")))

```

Regards

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SnehajitDas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/uipath/user_avatar/forum.uipath.com/snehajitdas/32/544299_2.png) [@SnehajitDas](https://forum.uipath.com/u/SnehajitDas)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 12:04pm UTC](https://forum.uipath.com/t/finding-dbnull-in-a-datatable-generated-from-sql-query-and-assign-activity/749787/3 "2024-06-26T12:04:41Z")

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> [@vrdabberu](#):
>
> `""`

Yeah, something similar to this wanted.  
But problem is “” can’t be assigned to a datetime variable.  
I will try with Generic variable and see if the end result can be achieved.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ppr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/uipath/user_avatar/forum.uipath.com/ppr/32/464097_2.png) [@ppr](https://forum.uipath.com/u/ppr)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 12:12pm UTC](https://forum.uipath.com/t/finding-dbnull-in-a-datatable-generated-from-sql-query-and-assign-activity/749787/4 "2024-06-26T12:12:48Z")

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> [@SnehajitDas](#):
>
> But problem is “” can’t be assigned to a datetime variable.

then assign null again or a default date